The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1887-01-21
miscellaneous.
THE FLEA AND THE KING.
One of Victor HugO's Tales 10 His
Grandchildren.

Once upon time there was wicked king
who made his people very unhappy. Every
body detested him, and those whom he had
put in prison and beheadcd would have
liked to whip him. But howf He was the
strongest, he was the master. He did moi
have to give account to any one and, when
he was told that his subjects were not con-
tent, he replied
"Well, what of it? don't care Il rapp
which was an ugly answer.
AS he continued 10 act like a king, and as
he became every day little more wicked
than the day before, this SC, certain little
flea TO thinking over the matter 1t was a
| little bit of u flea, who was OF no conse-
quence at all, but full of good sentiments
This is not the nature of fleas In general, but
this one had been very well brought up. 1t
bit people with moderation, and only when
il was very hungry.
what if were to bring the king TO rca-
son ?" it said to itself. at is not without
danger. But no matter will try p
That nj hit, the wicked king, after having
done all sorts of naughty things during the
dry, was calmly going to sleep, when he felt
what seemed to be the prick OF II pin.
Bitter
He growled, and turned over on the Other
side.
Die Die Die.
"Who is it that bites me so 7" cried the
king, in n terrible voice.
at is l." replied little voice.
You Who are your"
"a little flea who wishes TO correct you p
"a flea just you wait just you wait, and
you shall seew
And the king sprang from his bed, twisted
his covering, and shook the Sheets all of
which was quite useless for the good flea
had hidden itself in the royal beard.
"Ah," said the king, at has gone now ;
and shall be able to get sound Sleep
But scarcely had he laid his head ON the
pillow, when
'Bitew
How What Again?"
"Bitel Biler
"You dare to return, you abominable little
flea But think for moment what you are
doing. You are no bigger than grain of
sand, and you dare to bite one of the great
est kings on earthl'
"Wcil what of it ? don't care a rap y an
swered the flea, in the very words of the
king.
"Ah, if l only had you"
Eyes but you haven't got mcr'
The wicked king did not sleep at all that
night, and he arose the next morning in q
killing ill-humor. He resolved to destroy
his enemy. BY his orders, they cleaned the
palace from top to bottom, and particularly
his bedroom. His bed was made by ten old
women, very skillful in the art of catching
fleas. But they caught nothing, for the good
flea had hidden itself under the collar of the
kings coat.
That night. this frightful tyrant WHO was
dying for want OF sleep, lay back on both
his ears, although this is said to be very diff
ficult. But he wished to sleep double, and
he knew no better way. l wish you may
find better. Scarcely had he put out his
light, when he felt the flea on his neck
Bite! Bitter
"Ah, POUNDS What is this?'
at is |, the flea OF yesterday
but what do you want, you rascal, you
tiny pest!"
Il wish you 10 obey me. and to make your
people happy"
"Ho, there, my soldiers, my captain Of the
guard, my ministers, my generals Every
body The whole lot of your
The whole lot of them came in. The king
was in rage which made everybody trem-
BILE. He found fault with all the servants of
the palace. Everybody was in consterna-
lion. During this time, the flea, quite calm
kept itself hid in the kings nightcap.
The guards were doubled, laws and de-
crees were made, ordinances were published
against all tlcas; there were professions and
public prayers 10 ask of Heaven the extcr-
mination Of the flea, and sound sleep for the
king. II was all OF no avail. The wretched
king could not lie down, even on the grass,
without being attacked by his obstinate enc
my, the good flea, who did not let him sleep
single minute.
bite Bite! !"
1t would take too long to tell the many
hard knocks the king gave himself, in trying
to crush the flea He was covered with
bruises and Commissions. AS he could not
sleep, he wandered about like an uneasy
spirit. He grew thinner. He would GER
lainly have died if at last he had not made
up his mind to obey the good flea.
II surrender" he said ut last, when it be-
gan again 10 bite him. Il ask for quarter.
will do what you ask"
$50 much the better. On this condition
only shall you Sleep" replied the flea.
"Thank you. What must do?"
Make your people happy"
81 have never learned how. Go not know
how"
Nothing more easy. You have only to
go away"
Taking my treasures with me?"
Without taking anything"
But shall die if have no money 2"
well, what Of it? don't care" replied
the flea
But the flea was not hard hearted, and 1t
let the king fill his pockets with money be-
fore he went away. And the people were
able TO be very happy by setting up repub-
lie.
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